Air-cushion for boot and shoe soles



(No Model.)

G. I. BUTTERPIELD, v AIR OHSHION-FOR BOOT: AND SHOE SOLES L No. 259,092. I Patented June 6, 1882.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE F. BUTTERFIELD, OF STONEHAM, MASSACHUSETTS.

AIR-CUSHION FOR BOOT AND SH OE SOLES.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. v259,092, dated June 6, 1882.

Application filed March 27, 1885!.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE F. BUTTER- FIELD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Stoneham, in the county of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Air'Oushions for Boot and Shoe Soles; and I do hereby declare that the same are fully described in the following specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

The object of this invention is to furnish a hollow yieldingcushion for the outer soles, tapsoles, or heels of boots and shoes, so as to give a more elastic tread than has heretofore been attained, and without the expense and weight of a solid sole of pure gum.

My inven tion consists in a hollow closed cushion of rubber, or equivalent material, suitably shaped and adapted to be attached as the outer sole, tap-sole, or heel of a boot -or shoe, and also in a boot or shoe provided with a rubber outer sole, tap-sole, or heel made hollow and elastic with an inclosed air-space.

The drawings represent in Figure l a longitudinal section ofa sole, A, and heel B, made integral or connected by a shank-piece,0, and each having the air-space D. This form I prefer to use when the boot or shoe is originally made with my improvement, and is of a style adapted thereto. In such case the rubber may be secured directly to the insole, of proper thickness, or to a suitably-shaped outer sole,

and will have the effect of a tap-sole and heel' 'of a very elastic character. The two air-spaces may communicate with each other through the shank 0, if it is made hollow for that purpose,

Fig. 2 shows a shoe,E,of ordinary construction,provided with a tap-sole and a heel made separate and according to my invention, andapplied beneath the usual sole and heel. This mode of construction will be found most con.- venient for application to existing boots or shoes.

With either form the rubber may be properly secured to the leather by rubber cement, or by compo cement made of gutta-percha and benzine. Screws, nails, or staples F through the marginal or solid parts of the rubber may also be used, if desired.

These cushions will be formed in suitable molds or wrappers, and will be made withcavities of proper size, ina manner well known to manufacturers of rubber goods. Where an air- (No model.)

vent is provided during'vulcanization it will be on the upper side, so as to be closed'on applying the cushion' to the bottom of the shoe. The rubber may be strengthenedby an interposed layer, G, of canvas or other suitable material. The parts most exposed to wear will be made heaviest.

The advantages of this invention are principally in the'agreeable elasticity of the shoe .in walking, so that long distances canbe traveled with less fatigue than is usual, the yielding of any particular part of the sole to irregularities of surface adapting my shoe especially for mountain climbing without fear ofslipping, the resilience of the air-cushions preventing snow or mud from adhering,while the air-space I gives great lightness and forms a non-conductor of heat, cold, or moisture.

1 am aware that it has been proposed to use air-cushions of india-rubber for the insoles of boots and shoes. Such device forms no part of my invention, since an elastic insole would alternately enlarge'and contract the space provided in the shoe for the foot, and would not cause the bottom of thesole or heel to yield to inequalities of the grounds surface, nor attain any of the other advantages of my invention.

I am also aware that the British patent to Goodyear, No. 2,466 of 1853, shows and describes a ventilated shoe having an air-space within the sole and heel communicating by numerous perforations with the air inside the shoe and with the external air. I disclaim such a shoe, since any perforation which would permit escape of theair from my cushions would be fatal to the purpose of my invention, which contemplates a closed air-space.-

I claim as of my invention- 1. An elastic outer sole, tap-sole, or heel for boots and shoes, formed hollow or with aclosed air-space within it, for the purpose set forth.

2. A boot or shoe provided with a hollow im perforate rubber outer sole, tap-sole, or heel retaining a fixed amount of air within its cav ity, for the purpose set forth.

Intestimony whereof I hereto affix my signature in presence of two witnesses. I

GEORGE F. BUTTERFIELD. 

